This past weekend I attended our state convention’s disaster relief training conference. I was amazed to see the work that has been done, by Southern Baptists, in the name of Jesus, for those who have suffered from disaster.
It was awesome to see how God allowed these horrible things to happen, then He allowed his people to come in and show compassion to those who were hurting. It is a humbling experience when you think that God is actually using you to do his work. I was motivated to get involved more in showing the world God’s love.
But, this is a parenting blog, so I thought of something that might help our children. If you want your children to be more compassionate, then show them how to do it. There is so much that can be done for others, and I want my kids to live their lives for God’s glory, so I must be the right example.
Many of us adults go on mission trips to help others, and we don’t let our kids go along. For many of these trips kids aren’t allowed. Maybe we need to find mission work that our kids are allowed to be a part of. If we want to train them up in the way that they should go, we need to do the training.
There are so many people in our country who need our help. The people who are in Alabama and Georgia who suffered from the tornadoes need help. Also, Louisiana and Mississippi will need help for quite some time. Remember that true JOY is Jesus, Others, and then You. I want my kids to experience that same JOY that I have.
So, so true. I am just “fighting” with my oldest for our whole family to go this weekend and help clean,organize, redecorate, etc some offices for an agency that helps relocating refugees. It’s in an inner city area and I really want them to see more…I convinced him we’re all going
Good thoughts, Jamey. I had the chance a couple of years ago to take the boys on a mission trip to West Virginia. We helped a church plant with visitation, VBS, revival and renovations. They participated in all of it. We frequently get involved in local mission projects as a family as well.
I think it is so important to include kids. My guys have been involved in day projects, volunteering at church (even my youngest has his job..organizing the sanctuary..pens, tissues, etc), have delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly and I really hope to do even more. Coincidence…we also just repainted/organized/sorted donations in some offices for an agency that relocates refugees last weekend!!! awesome!
Oh wait. Yes, I have. I’m sorry, but I just don’t have it in me right now to type it all out again. Besides, it was just ramblings anyway. You didn’t want to hear me go on and on about this, right?